Responding to symptoms: Minor Ailments

Question 1

What is WHHAM

Answer 1

W Who is the patient
W What are the symptoms
H How long have the symptoms been present
A Action taken
M Medication

Question 2

The groups of patients that would require more care when responding to who is the patient (6)

Answer 2

1. Older People
2. Children
3. Babies
4. Expectant Mothers
5. Breastfeeding Mothers
6. People with other Conditions

Question 3

How will you ensure you obtain as much useful information as possible (2)

Answer 3

1. Ask open questions
2. Build rapport

Question 4

Why don’t we just ask what the patient is suffering from

Answer 4

Patients may misdiagnose through ignorance or bad advice

Question 5

What must you watch out for when symptoms are described?

Answer 5

All symptoms are described accurately

Question 6

What is the sale of Medicines Protocol - Chloramphenicol eye drops for a sticky eye

Answer 6

Reclassified POM to P and needs special instructions

Question 7

What is the sale of Medicines Protocol - Male patient requesting paracetamol and Lemsip® for themselves

Answer 7

Both contain paracetamol so need special advice

Question 8

What is the sale of Medicines Protocol - An older patient with a cold who complains of shortness of breath

Answer 8

Serious symptom could indicate, asthma, infection, Heart Failure.

Question 9

What is the sale of Medicines Protocol - A mother requesting chlorphenamine syrup and promazine syrup for their seven-year-old child

Answer 9

Both likely to cause drowsiness so need advice

Question 10

What is the sale of Medicines Protocol - A student asking for a product to treat severe pain in the tummy

Answer 10

if severe pain it indicates a more serious condition like appendicitis

Question 11

What is the referral time for a cough

Answer 11

lasting than 3 weeks

Question 12

What is the referral time for a cold

Answer 12

lasting than 3 weeks

Question 13

What is the referral time for cystitis lasting

Answer 13

lasting 2 days

Question 14

What is the referral time for infant diarrhoea

Answer 14

lasting 1 day

Question 15

What is the referral time for constipation

Answer 15

lasting 1 week

Question 16

What is the referral time for indigestion

Answer 16

lasting 2 weeks

Question 17

What is the referral time for mouth ulcers

Answer 17

lasting 3 weeks

Question 18

What things can you do to make WWHAM consultations comfortable (6)

Answer 18

1. Introduce yourself; Hello my name is
2. hear answers before asking questions;
3. Ask open questions; build rapport at start by chatting;
4. body language indicating active listening; matching pace and language of patient;
5. empathising with patient;
6. summarising information

Question 19

What benefit can be gained from finding out what the patient has done already (6)

Answer 19

1. May have diagnosis from doctor or other healthcare professional
2. May have successful treatment but not waited long enough
3. May stop you recommending already ineffective treatment
4. May already be using recommended non drug treatments
5. May be misinformed with existing treatment
6. May avoid overdosing

Question 20

reasons why asking about other medicines is useful (3)

Answer 20

1. Other medicines may be causing the symptoms
2. Other medicines may interact with your recommendation
3. Other medicines may indicate a medical condition you need to consider as well as the presenting symptoms

Question 21

What are some examples of co-administered medicines that may be problematical (4)

Answer 21

1. Decongestants with BP medication
2. Medicines containing sugar with diabetic patients
3. Anti histamines with Antidepressants (increase drowsiness)
4. OTC pain killers with POM pain killers